Storage of camera rig

So when not diving I keep the rig setup in my closet. The temperature is fine. Do I need to take the kit apart? I have the Nauticam 550d setup. Should I unscrew everything or is it OK to keep the camera completely setup (i do take out the camera so i can use it for non-dive events).

So far I only have one dome so I don't change that out. I'd imagine the parts are designed to sit setup for long periods of time.

Is that needed for any reason? Will the rings be damaged if they sit in the housing?

If you leave the housing completely sealed for long periods of time with the seals engaged, the o-rings can undergo compression set. This means they will tend to take on their compressed shape rather than being round and this MIGHT cause problems later on. I always store my housing in a box with the back off but the o-rings are still in the groove. I also dismount all my ports between dives.Bill

Is that needed for any reason? Will the rings be damaged if they sit in the housing?

If you leave the housing completely sealed for long periods of time with the seals engaged, the o-rings can undergo compression set. This means they will tend to take on their compressed shape rather than being round and this MIGHT cause problems later on. I always store my housing in a box with the back off but the o-rings are still in the groove. I also dismount all my ports between dives.Bill

If you leave the housing completely sealed for long periods of time with the seals engaged, the o-rings can undergo compression set. This means they will tend to take on their compressed shape rather than being round and this MIGHT cause problems later on. I always store my housing in a box with the back off but the o-rings are still in the groove. I also dismount all my ports between dives.Bill

If you leave the housing completely sealed for long periods of time with the seals engaged, the o-rings can undergo compression set. This means they will tend to take on their compressed shape rather than being round and this MIGHT cause problems later on. I always store my housing in a box with the back off but the o-rings are still in the groove. I also dismount all my ports between dives.Bill

Hehe, double post within a single post. That's new

Thanks Bill! When I get home I will dissemble (whow, Short Circuit movie just popped in my head) my rig.

For those worried about o-ring compression set, why not remove ALL the o-rings including controls, buttons, etc. Not very practical. My Nexus is stored with all o-rings in place & closed all the time. Never been a problem with proper o-rings & grooves. If o-rings appear slightly out of round when reinstalled, make sure they are not twisted. Haven't noticed this thou. 70 durometer buna seems to work best for all my u/w photo applications.

For those worried about o-ring compression set, why not remove ALL the o-rings including controls, buttons, etc. Not very practical. My Nexus is stored will all o-rings in place & closed all the time. Never been a problem with proper o-rings & grooves. If o-rings appear slightly out of round when reinstalled, make sure they are not twisted. Haven't noticed this thou. 70 durometer buna seems to work best for all my u/w photo applications.

For o-rings inside a cylinder (like the button o-rings) compression set is not a terrible problem since they never get potentially moved around. For o-rings that sit compressed next to a flat surface it can in fact be a problem. One advantage of the silicone o-rings that many folks use is that silicone is much less compression set susceptible than nitrile. I am glad that you have never had a problem but a lot depends on how often you dive. We make implantable medical gear with lots of sealing surfaces and some o-rings and I wish I could say that compression set was never a problem.

I'm to terrified to store my Nexus unlatched due to the possibility of the sealing surface being damaged
and not confident enough to remove the o-rings and attempt re-installing myself. Besides the manuals
storage recommendation is to only remove the port and clamp body shut with o-ring in place.

Jim - The main o-ring for the Nexus does require a bit of finesse to reinstall due to all the curves in the groove. Depending on your technique it may appear to be too large or too small, but it does fit properly if you massage it into the groove just right. Never had a problem with leaving it in place. For storage I put on protective body cap.

i normally take the housing and the back part apart and store them in a case together with strobe and camera. if i want to take underwater photos i know which case to take and just head off ;-)

as already mentioned it is not too healthy for the o-ring to be under pressure all the time could also well be over time it gets a bit less tight than it should be.

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